Register control mechanism



April 27,1954 DE R00 2,676,795

REGISTER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 28, 1952 FIG! FIG.2

INVENTOR. WILLIAM C. DEROO BY ATT 'YS Patented Apr. 27, 1954 UNITEDPATENT OFFICE 2,676,795 REGISTER ooNTRoL MECHANISM WilliamRim,.Holland,v Mich, assignorl-to Hart & -Cooley. ,-=Manufacturing- 00.,Holland, Mich,= a corporation of Delaware Application February' 28,1952, Serial Iva-2735839 5- Glaims; 1

This invention relates in general ta: dampers or registers of thecharacterwherein adjacent vanes or louvers rotate in relatively oppositerections between the open and closed positions thereof' and is moreparticularly directed toa novel form of control r'nec'ahar'iis'm foroperatingthe louvers.

Ithas' been recognized for some time that registers wherein thecooperating louvers rotate in relatively opposite directions fromtheclosed to open positions have the advantage-of directing the air-flow inafmore: generally upwar rec tion v therethrough' than where all of thelouvers rotate in the same direction. In the-latter casewhen'the'louvers, which are-generally caused to move simultaneously, arepartially opened,- the air now will be given a more angulardirectiorr upwardly' when tha'l'ouvers areonly partially opened; whereas in the caseof louvers rotating in relatively opposite directions, the'air fldw'will be=directly in. an upward direction regardless of the-angle throughwhich the louvers haveben rotated;

One of the problems which has been presented in connection with theoppositely-rotating adjacent louvers is the provision of as'imple andinexpensive mechanism for initially inovin'g the leading edge of oneofthe: iouvers at a greater angular velocity than the trailing edge-ofthe adj acent louver. In order-to effectively register-t0 preventdust-and dams-weir s -heat from being conductedtherethrough, it isn'-z'c zes sary that adjacent louvers overlap at theit au a= cent"edges; Where: adjacent louver's rotatein the same direction there 'is'noproblem involved in moving the louvers toopen position because theadjacent'ed'ges thereof wilt be'moved in opposite directions.-

It is, therefore; a principal object of the present invention to:provide a simplified? and-economie mechanism. for: properly controllingthe rotatingmovements of adjacent l'ouvers in areg i'ster'where adjacentor alternate louvers rotate-in relatively opposite: directions.

Another object of the invention" is to provide atpivotally mountedcontrol dial. or operating member which has connecting means-with:jacent louversandwhichmeans areso-proportioned and. related to eachother as tocause initial rotating movementof one louver atagreaterspeedthan the initial rotating movement of'the adjacent louver:

A- further obj ect' of; the invention is to provide in-a:registeric'ontrol mechanism a" pivotatly' mounted operating dial ormember in combina- Risethe tion with a link connected between the dialand each of. the'vlouve'rs" to be" operated wherein each link is of:substantially the same length and is mounted on: the dial the samedistance from the center of rotation 'of' the dial, the greater initialvelocity 'of the one louver being obtained both through the arrangementof the direction of force which is caused to rotate the louver andthrough" arranging properly the relative perpendicular' distances from.each link to the pivot for the-respective louvers to'which they are0011- nected.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent uponreading the-following description: taken in coniunction with the accompanying drawing in 1 which:

Fig. l isa vertical transverse sectional view through the frame of' aregister illustrating the control mechanism ofthe present invention inelevation and showing the lo'uvers in closed posi-' tion; and

Fig; 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the louvers in openposition.

The necessity of initially moving the leading edge "of onealouverof apair which rotate in relatively' opposite directions at a greatervelocity than theadja'centedge of the other louver when these edges areinoverlapping relation has been recognized heretofore but the-mech'anism' suggested to accomplish this result has been relativelycostly because ofthe numerous different specific par-ts involved- It hasbeen proposed either that the links be made of different lengths,- orthat they be mounted" on the operating mem ber atunequal distances fromthe center'of rotation: of themember,=al1- of which necessitates themanufacture of numerous difierent sized partsand assembling theminspecific relationship 'to be sure that the proper link length is securedto the operating member'at the proper location, all of which tendsto'increase thegerieral cost of manufacture.

The present invention'involves a greatly simplified construction whereinthe links n'iay be substantially the same length and are pivotally termand includes the elongated side members 2 and ends 3. The sides and endsare flanged outwardly at their upper edges as shown at 4 to provide asupport by which the frame may be suspended in the floor of a room. Theframe itself has an open upper side 5 and an open lower side a for thepassage of air therethrough when the louvers are in open position. It isunderstood that directional vanes may be provided in the upper portionof the frame if desired but such vanes have not been illustrated hereinsince they form no part of the present invention.

The particular register shown in the drawing for purposes ofillustration is provided with two louvers l and 8. It is to beunderstood, however, that a greater number of louvers may be provided ifdesired and for a register having a larger opening therethrough in whichcase any suitable and well-known means may be provided for connectingevery other louver together, whereby a single control mechanism willoperate all of the louvers simultaneously.-

The louvers i and 8 are pivotally mounted by means of rods or pivot pins8 and Ill, respectively, suitably journalled in the ends of the frameand secured to the offset portions H and 12 between the longitudinaledges of the respective louvers. In the embodiment shown the louver l ismounted on its pivot to rotate in a clockwise direction to open positionand the louver ii is mounted on its pivot to rotate in a counterclock- 3wise direction to open position. The louver i3 is provided with anoffset 13 along the longitudinal edge thereof adjacent the inner edge ofthe louver 1 whereby the adjacent edges of the two louvers may overlapand form an effective seal against the passage of dust and dirt as wellas heat therethrough when in closed position. The outer longitudinaledges of the respective louvers I and 8 contact the lower edges of theframe thereby limiting the closed movement thereof.

It will be evident that in order to assure the smooth operation of thelouvers when they are moving to open position, as well as returning toclosed position, it is necessary that the inner edge of louver 1 moveupwardly at an initially greater speed or through a relatively greaterarc than the inner edge of louver 8. As stated above, this result hasbeen attained in the present instance by the use of a novel controlmechanism wherein the parts thereof are substantially identical, itbeing merely necessary to position the parts relative to each other insuch a way that the desired operation will result.

A dial or disk M. constitutes the operating member for the two louvers Iand 8. The dial or operating member is is pivotally mounted in the frameas at l5 between the pivots 9 and H) of the louvers and at a substantialdistancethere above.

clockwise direction about its pivot S by means of a link l6 pivotallyconnected atone end thereof as at H to the operating member or dial Hi.The other end of link 16 is pivotally connected as at 18 to anupstanding ear I9 secured to or formed integral with the louver 1adjacent one end thereof. Thus far it will be evident that acounterclockwise rotation of the dial M will cause a movement of thelink It toward the right exerting a force in a direction almost parallelto the plane of louver l which will cause the louver to rotate about itspivot 9. Since the pivotal connection 13 between the link l6 and thelouver l is between the pivots 8 and The louver I is caused to rotate ina IU of the louvers, the direction of rotation of the louver I will beclockwise and it may be moved all the way to the position shown in Fig.2.

The operating means for the louver 8 includes a link 20 pivotallyconnected by means of the pivot 21 at one end thereof to the dial oroperating member l t. The opposite end of link 2? is connected by meanssuch as the pivot 22 to an upstanding ear 23 secured to or formedintegral with the louver 3 adjacent one end thereof. A counterclockwiserotation of the dial or operating member M will exert an angulardownward force against the louver 8 to cause it to rotate about itspivot Hi. Since, however, the pivotal connection 22 between the link 2!and the louver B is on the side of the pivot it therefor which is awayfrom the pivot 9 for the louver 1, the direction of rotation of thelouver 3 will be counterclockwise. I

The links l6 and 2c are of substantially the same length and it willtherefore be obvious that the cost of producing the mechanism embodyingthe present invention will be decreased since it will be unnecessary toproduce links of different lengths. Furthermore, the pivot I? of link [5is the same distance away from the pivot It as the pivot 2! for the link20. Therefore, when the dial is stamped and holes made for the receptionof pivots I1 and 2|, it makes no difference in assembling which of thelinks 16 or it is pivoted to pivots H or 2| because of the substantiallyidentical lengths of the links and their same distances from the pivot15 of the operating member M.

It is still advisable, however, to position the various parts withrespect to each other so that the leading inner edge of louver I willmove faster or through a greater are initially than the inner edge oflouver 8. This result is accomplished by so positioning link 16 on thedial l4 and conmeeting to the louver I so that the perpendiculardistance from the link It to the pivot 9 for louver 1 will be less thanthe perpendicular distance from link 20 to the pivot In of the louver 8.It is also necessary in the present construction that the perpendiculardistances from both links it and 20 to the pivot 15, which is the centerof rotation of the operating member 14, are the same. For purposes ofillustration the perpendicular distance from the center line of the linkIE to the center of rotation of dial [4 has been indicated by .r. Theperpendicular distance from the centerline of link 20 to the center ofrotation of dial It has been indicated by the letter 1. x and "y. arethe same as shown in Fig. 1.

The perpendicular distance from an extension of the center line of linkHi to the center of pivot 9-for louver 1 is indicated as :r and theperpendicular distance from the extension of the center line of link 20to the centerof pivot It for louver 8 is: indicated by y. In the presentinstance these two-distances are different, a:' being less than y sothat upon the initial movement of the dial I4 the inner edge of louver Iwill move faster or through a greater are initially than will the inneredge of louver 8, thus assuring the avoidance of any interferencebetween the adjacent inner edges of the two louvers when moving fromclosed to open positions and when moving from open back to closedpositions.

It will thus be evident that a counterclockwise rotation of the dial ormember It will cause simultaneous rotation of the louvers 'l and 8 inrelatively opposite directions from the closed position thereof to openposition without interference between the adjacent inner edgesofthe twolouvers. Fig: 2 illustrates the position of the parts when the twolouvers have been moved tovertical position orcompletely open. Suitablestop means (not shown)' may-be providedif desired to limit, theopeninglmovement of the two louvers.

From the foregoing itw'i1l1 be. clear that; the present inventionembodies a departure from structures proposed heretofore where it wasthought necessary to form the two links of different lengths and toposition them on the operating member at diiferent distances from thepivot of the operating member. To do so is more costly than thestructure embodying the present invention where the parts may beinterchangeable and more easily and quickly assembled.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of partsfrom those disclosed herein without in any way departing from the spiritof the invention or sacrificing any of the attendant advantages thereof,provided, however, that such changes fall within the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a damper mechanism having a pair of louvers mounted for rotationin relatively opposite directions, in combination, a frame, a pair oflouvers pivoted in said frame and having the adjacent edges thereof inoverlapping relation when in closed position, an operating member forsaid louvers mounted for rotation at one end of said frame, a linkpivotally connected at one end thereof to said member and at its otherend to one of said louvers at a point thereon at one side of a planepassing through the center of rotation of said member and parallel tosaid louvers when in completely open position, and a second linkpivotally connected at one end thereof to said member and at its otherend to the other of said louvers at a point thereon at the opposite sideof said plane passing through the center of rotation of said member, theproportions of the parts being such that in closed damper position theperpendicular distance from each said link to the center of rotation ofsaid member is substantially the same.

2. In a damper mechanism having a pair of louvers mounted for rotationin relatively opposite directions, in combination, a frame, a pair oflouvers pivoted in said frame and having the adjacent edges thereof inoverlapping relation when in closed position, the pivot for each saidlouver being between the edges thereof, an operating member for saidlouvers mounted for rotation in said frame between the pivots for saidlouvers and atone side of a plane passing through the louver pivots, afirst link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said member and atthe other end thereof to one of said louvers between the pivots for saidlouvers, and a second link pivotally connected at one end thereof tosaid. member and at the other end thereof to the other louver at a pointthereon which is on the side of the pivot for said other louver awayfrom the pivot for the first mentioned louver, the proportions of theparts being such that inclosed damper position the perpendiculardistance from each said link to the center of rotation of said member issubstantially the same, and the perpendicular distance from a planepassing through the pivot points of said first link to the pivot of Saidfirst mentioned louver is less than the-perpendicular distance from aplane passingthrough the pivot points of said second link to the .pivotfor said other louver.

3; In a damper mechanism having a pair of louvers mounted'for rotationin. relatively opposite directions, in combination, a frame, a pair of@louverspivoted in said frame and having the adjacentedges thereof inoverlapping relation when in closed position, thepivot for each saidlouver being; located between the edges thereof,

an operating disk pivotally mounted at substantially the center thereofbetween the pivots for said louvers and in said frame, a first linkpivotally connected at one end thereof to said disk and at the other endthereof to one of said louvers at a point thereon between the pivots forsaid louvers, and a second link pivotally connected at one end thereofto said disk and at the other end thereof to the other louver at a pointthereon which is on the side of the pivot for said other louver awayfrom the pivot for the first mentioned louver, the proportions of theparts being such that in closed damper position the perpendiculardistance from each said link to the pivot of said disk is substantiallythe same, and the perpendicular distance from a plane passing throughthe pivot points of said first link to the pivot of said first mentionedlouver is less than the perpendicular distance from a plane passingthrough the pivot points of said second link to the pivot for said otherlouver.

4. In a. damper mechanism having a pair of louvers mounted for rotationin relatively opposite directions, in combination, a frame, a pair oflouvers pivoted in said frame and having the adjacent edges thereof inoverlapping relation when in closed position, an operating member forsaid louvers pivotally mounted in said frame, a first link and a secondlink, both of said links being pivotally mounted on said member equaldistances from the pivot of said member, said first link also beingpivotally connected to one of said louvers at a point thereon betweenthe pivots for said louvers, said second link being also pivotallyconnected to the other louver at a point thereon which is on the side ofthe pivot for said other louver away from the pivot for the firstmentioned louver, the proportions of the parts being such that in closeddamper position the perpendicular distance from a plane passing throughthe pivot points of said first link to the pivot of said first mentionedlouver is less than the perpendicular distance from a plane passingthrough the pivot points of said second link to the pivot for said otherlouver.

5. In a damper mechanism having a pair of louvers mounted forrotation inrelatively opposite directions, in combination, a frame, a pair oflouvers pivoted in said frame and having the adjacent edges thereof inoverlapping relation when in closed position, an operating member forsaid louvers pivotally mounted in said frame, a first link and a secondlink, both of said links being pivotally mounted on said member, saidfirst link also being pivotally connected to one of said louvers at apoint thereon between the pivots for said louvers, said second linkbeing also pivotally connected to the other louver at a point thereonwhich is on the side of the pivot for said other louver away from thepivot for the first mentioned louver, the proportions of the parts beingsuch that in closed damper position the perpendicular distance from saidfirst link to the pivot of said first mentioned louver is less than theperpendicular distance from a 7 planepassing through the'pivot points ofsaid Number second link to the pivot for said other louver 2,331,7582,341,038 References Cited in the file of this patent 4 5,555 UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 5 2,479,773 2,561,627 Number Name Date 5,698 Culver Aug.10, 1848 657,347 Human Sept. 4, 1900 Number 671,593 Harper Apr. 9, 190110 30,158' 1,659,880 Kaufiman Feb. 21, 1928 1,848,978

Smith Mar. 8, 1932 Name I Date Barnett Oct. 12, 1943 Harris Feb. 8, 1944Smith Mar. 29, 1949 Piehl Aug. 23, 1949 Klanner July 24, 1951 FOREIGNPATENTS Country Date Germany Jan. 9, 1885

